"The Metropolis" a Exeter Travel Page by johngayton

Exeter has had a bit of bad press recently, being named as one of the most boring cities in the country. According to a certain national newspaper, I don't recall which, but obviously one without actual reporters, Exeter is supposed to be nothing but "High Street Chain Shops, Coffee Bars and Pubs".

What absolute tosh!

My little darling here, having a quick scratch before going for a swim, was photographed not even ten minutes walk from the High Street.

Okay, on the High Street itself are the usual culprits: Dixons, Waterstones, M&S, All the banks,Costa Coffee..........and etc. But criticising kind of misses the point, most of the population of Devon live in rural areas and we actually need to go shopping in these sort of shops from time to time, go to the bank, and whilst we're here drop into Burger King for a treat!!

The High Street itself is maybe 400 yards (metres if you prefer) long and as soon as you get off it, left, right, up or down you find yourself in EXETER, with its myriad little shops, interesting little pubs, restaurants, The Cathedral, theatres, gardens, the river........the list is endless! And the great thing is you don't have to go very far to find things.

Even though I haven't been in for a few years, McGahey's has long been a lifeline on the tobacco front for me. Not only do they stock my particular brand, but will send it out to me when I'm stranded in "Gauloises Free" regions. As an invertebrate (sic) smoker this sort of service is absolutely essential.

But to return to my polemic - McGahey's is slap-bang in the middle of the "boring" High Street. And it is not the only "exception that proves the rule".

There is of course "Dingles", ok it's now owned by House of Fraser, but still keeps its particular Exeter character and only a matter of paces off the High St proper there's Gandy St, with its idiosyncratic collection of oddbod shops -- I might even write a shopping tip!

And at either end of the 400 yards of Nationals, you have Sidwell Street , with its really useful little minimarket - watch batteries, hand tools, mobile accessories...........and heading towards the river down Fore St, a little arcade with "Gay Dogs" - specialist in purple poodle jobs, "Star Child" - herbalist and tarot readings, continue and you have "Chuckle Shoes" - made to order or from stock, "The Yellow Emperor" - herbal viagra now available! And thats just a lucky bag type pick!

And of course no page of mine would be complete without at least one pub!

A little trendier than I normally prefer for a pub, but a decent pint of beer, even though they use a strange sort of electric pump, last seen in Manchester in the late seventies, good bar food and pleasant laid back atmosphere. A little oasis in the City Centre and there are quite a few others - try out The Well House, overlooking Cathedral Green or the City Walls Hotel just before the Iron Bridge (and the barber shop next door is where I get my hair cut when in Exeter - that's a digression and a half!! Pubs to haircuts all within the same brackets - but there is a reason............it's like this: I never go straight to the pub, I only allow myself to have a drink if i've done something to justify it and a haircut is as good a justification as any!)

If you are a pub person here's a really good pub site for Exeter, Cheers Stu!: Exeter thro bottom of a beer glass

Just to round things off, Exeter is Exeter and I love her just as she is and she is certainly not boring!